Parshas Vayakhel 5782
Why All The Details?
[Editor’s note: As a memory of my beloved brother Shaya, I would like to continue sending out his pearls of wisdom that he has shared with all of you in the past. For some of you this may ring a bell and for others it may appear to be totally new. May the learning of Shaya’s Divrei Torah inspire us to change our ways and thereby give an Aliya to the neshama of our dear beloved Shaya whom we miss so much. A special thank you to Aaron Friedman for always looking over the divrei torah.]
Parshas Vayakhel gives a detailed description of the silver donations that were contributed to the Mishkan. The commentators explain that this accounting of the donations was made so that Moshe could show the Jews that all of the silver was used in the construction of the Mishkan. It was to dispel any suspicion that he had taken any of it for himself [contrary to what is commonplace today with many leaders and politicians in the world].
The Torah is teaching us an important lesson: one must be clean - not just in Hashem's eyes - but in the eyes of people as well.
To avoid suspicion in the eyes of others is an extremely difficult feat. In fact, the Chasam Sofer describes it as being a tremendous yoke on one’s shoulders, and attributes the Pasuk 'there is no righteous person who hasn't sinned' to this sin of not being clean in the people’s eyes from suspicion of wrongdoing!
But we must do our best to keep a positive, low-key profile. This is an important thought to always keep in mind. Whenever we conduct business, walk on the street, or even act in shul, we must be acutely aware that there are often less religious Jews and gentiles observing us, to see how we, authentic Shomrei Torah Umitzvos Jews, behave.
Let us all try to remember this lesson; to do our best to make a Kiddush Hashem, and to do everything we can to dispel any suspicion, so as to never make a Chilul Hashem.
May all of our actions do just the opposite: sanctify G-d's name in public, a Mitzva that brings enormous pride and joy to our Father in Heaven.
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